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Julie Costantino

Student Profile

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Julie Costantino

U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Spring/Summer 2006
DAAD - German Exchange Program, Summer 2007
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

I knew that I wanted to be a research scientist since I was in grade school. My mother is a scientist and on the weekends when I was younger she would take me into her lab and I would help with the experiments. When I was in high school I had the chance to work in a lab for half the day. I worked at the National Cancer Institute for nearly two years. Penn State was where I wanted to go; in fact it was the only school that I applied to. My freshman seminar was the first time I had ever heard of doing a co-op in college. My first reaction was "who would want to leave PSU for a whole semester." When the Co-op Office had their open house I went to check things out and ask questions. After talking to the students I realized how much I could learn and how much fun it could be to do a co-op.

My sophomore year I began applying to companies, I went through several interviews and finally from a connection I had at the National Cancer Institute I got a position at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID). I worked for six months developing vaccines and testing therapeutics that could be used for the Ebola virus. This experience was wonderful! I learned much more about science than in the classroom and I also developed communication skills important for the work place. I networked as much as I could and got tons of advice from fellow colleagues. After doing my co-op at USAMRIID I knew exactly what areas I wanted to study and what classes I needed to take. I also gained valuable contacts; the principle investigator I worked for has offered to hire me back when I graduate from college.

My final rotation was through the DAAD (a German exchange program). I got a position doing research at the University of Leipzig . I really loved the work I did at USAMRIID and I thought about going back, however, after receiving an email from the Co-op Office I thought about studying abroad. Going to Germany was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I came speaking hardly any German, and knowing no one. By the end of the co-op I hope to speak relatively good German. Experiencing a different culture is both scary and exciting. Its not often someone gets the chance to move to a different country for three months. The experience thus far has been nothing short of amazing. I would recommend to any adventurous person to consider a co-op abroad. It is an experience you will not soon forget.

I am graduating in May 2008 with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as well as a minor in Chemistry. I will have over two years of experience and in the field of research this is a huge advantage. I graduated in four years - I took summer classes twice, and my final year is part-time. Even if it would have taken me five years to graduate, I would have still enrolled in the Co-op Program. I have gained so much knowledge about science in addition to professional skills. Doing a co-op while in college is by far the best decision I have ever made.